Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Book Review: Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones

Death and the Girl Next Door(Darklight Series, Bk #1)By Darynda JonesSynopsis:

Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home. For Lorelei, life goes on.High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be. Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it, standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school. Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity. What does Jared know about her parents? Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei? And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real?

Thrilling, sassy, sexy, and inventive, Darynda Jones's first foray into the world of teens will leave readers eager for the next installment.

While I have read some YAs I'm not usually a YA READER. However, its freaking Darynda Jones people! I LOVE (yes all capitals) her "Charley Davidson Series" so of course I had to see what "Death and the Girl Next Door" was going to be about!

The writing style is very "Darynda" and I enjoyed that aspect extremely! Its witty, smart and Lorelei is similar to Charley with her sarcastic undertones! Though a YA, there wasn't the typical teenage angst that many within the genre tend to have (sorry, been there, done that and well, yeah, not something I miss).

There was a lot of world building and the first half of the book was a bit slow for my taste. A lot of the information and action happens during the second half of the book and the dramatic moment when things are truly revealed happens right at the end and well leads you to the next book. It took me longer than I would have liked to get into the book, however once I got to the second half, I couldn't put it down!! What kept me going through the first half? The story itself is written great. I was getting to know the characters and sometimes that takes time.

Lorelei and Brooklyn are strong young women who are best friends and they find strength in each other! The third BFF in this gang is Glitch, he's also the only boy! He provides a bit of the comic relief needed when the conversation is to heated or serious. The Musketeers as they refer to themselves at time.

Though its made to sound like there's a "love triangle" between Lorelei, Jared and Cameron, there isn't. Seems like that's a trend in YA books but thankfully, not one that Darynda followed. Both guys are hot (going with what Brooklyn and Lorelei told me since, you know there's an age difference here - LOL) and each has a different reason for being in Lorelei's life.

There's an interesting twist in the end that totally made me go "WOW" and then "Saweet" since I'm so looking forward to the next installment! You want to know what happens and how things are going to be handled.